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EU Provides Nobel Peace Prize funds to UNICEF

Islamabad/Brussels, 8 May 2013 - The European Union has provided € 300,000 from its Nobel Peace Prize money to UNICEF to support its educational activities for children affected by a lack of security in parts of northwestern Pakistan. The agreement was formalised today in Islamabad, between Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan and Dan Rohrmann, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.

These funds, made available through the European Commission's Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), will enable UNICEF to provide access to education for 3,000 children, including 1,500 girls in 30 schools currently operating in the Jalozai Camp, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

"Children are extremely vulnerable to conflicts and their education is often suffering," said Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, Head of the European Union Delegation to Pakistan. "They risk carrying the burden of conflict throughout their lives. It is fitting that the Nobel Peace Prize funds benefit those who carry the hope for the future."

UNICEF has been providing educational support to children in Jalozai Camp since 2008. The education package includes school-in-a-box supplies, training for teachers, education for peace training and psychosocial counseling that will help children cope with traumatic experiences.

"UNICEF Pakistan wishes to congratulate the EU for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and is honoured to receive support for providing education to children affected by displacement and deprived of their fundamental right to quality education," said Dan Rohrmann, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.

"These funds will provide an opportunity for children to reconnect with a safe learning environment that not only provides quality education but also gives some sense of normalcy to the many children that find themselves away from their normal social network and known environment."

In camp schools, these children not only receive education but also benefit from other basic services such as health, water, sanitation, hygiene, nutrition and protection interventions which ensure holistic childhood development.

About UNICEFUNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org

About European UnionThe European Union (EU) is a unique economic, social and political community and partnership between 27 European countries covering much of the European continent. The EU is based on the rule of law: everything that it does is founded on treaties and agreements, voluntarily and democratically agreed by all Member States. These binding agreements set out the EU's goals in its many areas of activity, including trade, development cooperation, and foreign and security policy. One of the EU's main goals is to promote human rights both internally and around the world. The European Union is the world's biggest donor of humanitarian aid, providing more than 50% of humanitarian aid worldwide.

About European Commission's Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO)The European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) funds relief operations for victims of natural disasters and conflicts outside the European Union. Aid is channelled impartially, straight to victims, regardless of their race, ethnic group, religion, gender, age, nationality or political affiliation. ECHO is among UNICEF's largest humanitarian donors. In 2012 alone, it provided over 70 million Euros for UNICEF's projects worldwide to support children.

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